Sterling College sends out 37 on cross-cultural trips

Four teams departed from Sterling College over the past week to serve in other countries. The 37 students, staff and alumni traveled to East Asia, Guatemala, India, and Panama.

Team East Asia left May 21 and will return June 4. They will work with Sterling College alumni teaching English and spend time learning about the culture. The team is led by Junior Tate Strasner of Mount Hope, Kan. Team members include Junior Kara DeLauretis of Clearwater, Kan.; Junior Janny Ourn of Liberal, Kan.; Sophomore Lexi Rutberg of Ft. Collins, Colo.; Sophomore David Strait of Concordia, Kan.; and Freshman Chase Wolff of Augusta, Kan.

Team India also left May 21 to begin working with Christians in the area doing discipleship and street evangelism. The team will return June 1. Sophomore Aren Coppoc of Concordia, Kan., will lead Team India. Team members include Freshman Emily Allen of Hutchinson, Kan.; Freshman Josh Hood of White Oak, Texas; Junior Sara Leasure of Kansas City, Mo.; and Sophomore Chelsea Stephenson of Atchison, Kan.

Team Panama consists of members of the Sterling College men’s and women’s basketball teams and will host several basketball clinics and games. The team is led by Dean Jaderston, head men’s varsity coach, his wife Julie, assistant to the chaplain, and Cecil Smart, former assistant coach. The team left on May 19 and includes members Eddie Adesodun ’14 of Mesquite, Texas; Ted Dower ’14 of Hutchinson, Kan.; Sophomore Alissa Gasper of Tipton, Kan.; Freshman Brandon Givens of Hutchinson, Kan.; Freshman Jake Jaderston of Sterling, Kan.; Ashley (Gasper) Raile ’09; Sophomore Emily Rivera of Fort Worth, Texas; Freshman Nate Sizemore of Clearwater, Kan.; Senior Troy Smith of Hutchinson, Kan.; Freshman Grant Speer of Matoon, Ill.; Junior Brandon Stacker of Overland Park, Kan.; Junior Matt Swank of Pratt Kan.; and Junior Braden Thompson of South Hutchinson, Kan.